Carson City June 08, 2020
The Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCEDSV) are working together to bring awareness to the decrease in funding in Nevada’s domestic violence service providers. On Friday, June 26, 2020, the “Say I Do” campaign asks individuals for donations to give back to local domestic service providers, due to the 87% decrease in marriage licenses.
“Nevada’s victim service providers work each and every day to help survivors find a path forward; they are facing increased need and reduced resources,” said Ross Armstrong Administrator of DCFS. “It is critical that we rise to this challenge, harness all the resources within our power, and act. Victim service providers support survivors at a critical time, we must do the same as a state for these service providers. The money you donate on June 26th could help save a life.”
The Account for Aid for Victims of Domestic Violence, funded by a portion of the fees from marriage licenses, is seeing a sharp monetary decline due to COVID-19. As Nevada’s wedding industry has been driven by those who travel to Nevada to get married. The closure of wedding venues and decreased wedding travel have reduced the sales of marriage licenses to an all-time low.
“Marriage license funding was established in 1982 to provide base funding for local domestic violence programs, this funding is in jeopardy as are the life-saving services it funds,” said Sue Meuschke, Executive Director of the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. “While many of us have stayed home to stay safe, home is not safe for everyone.”
The money raised this month and all year-round will help survivors of domestic violence escape dangerous situations. Some of Nevada’s domestic violence programs report a 65% increase in calls to their hotlines.
Visit ncedsv.org/IDoNV to find a list of providers and how to donate. Victims and individuals can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.779.7233 or RAINN at 1.800.656.4673 to seek help.
About DCFS
The Division of Family Service’s Victim Services Collaborative continuously improves access and delivery of services throughout Nevada for all victims and survivors through strategic planning, communication, and resource sharing among the State agencies that fund victim services. DCFS receives the largest federal victims of crime funding in the state and administers the marriage license funding. To learn more, visit dcfs.nv.gov.
About NCEDSV
The Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (previously The Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence), is the statewide coalition of domestic and sexual violence programs and works with providers of services for survivors of domestic violence by advocating for the prevention and elimination of domestic and sexual violence throughout the state. NCEDSV provides statewide advocacy, education and support to the front-line organizations that help those impacted by domestic and sexual violence. To learn more, visit ncedsv.org.